Ankle coupling for paralytic feet



Oct. 10, 1950 Filed 0.01;. 30. 1946 c; DUMELIN 2,525,658

ANKLE COUPLING FOR PARALYTIC FEET 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

Oct. 10, 1950 c. DUMELIN ANKLE COUPLING FOR PARALYTIC FEET 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 50, 1946 4A Awa IN VEN TOR.

through the plate member and rubber disc.

Patented Oct. 10, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2 Claims.

My present invention relates to an ankle coupling for paralytic feet, and the object is to provide a coupling to substitute for the paralyzed ligaments about the ankle. It comprises a plate member attached to a boot adjacent the ankle portion. Said plate member is secured to an outer rim by a plurality of pins and spaced from the rim by a soft rubber disc which is suspended about the pins. An inner spacer is secured to a tension lever by means of pins which pass The tension lever being disposed vertically and attached to the upper part of the boot. The part bein so disposed to provide a tension about the ankle while stepping or walking.

A further object of the invention is, I provide a pair of couplings about the boot to distribute the weight of the body about the ankle and foot.

A still further object is the coupling can be mounted with an ordinary shoe and separate leg cuff attached to the leg.

The invention is fully disclosed in this specification of which the accompanying drawings form a part, and in which the separate parts of my improvement are designated by suitable reference characters, in each of the views and in which:

Fig. 1 is an elevation view of a boot with the coupling attached to it. Fig. 2 is a rear elevation view of the boot with a pair of couplings axially mounted about the axis of the ankle movement. Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 are elevation views of the ten sion lever. Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 are elevation views of the plate member. Fig. 7 and Fig. 8 are elevation views of the rim. Fig. 9 and Fig. 10 are elevation views of the soft rubber disc. Fig. 11 and Fig. 12 are elevation views of the inner spacer. Fig. 13 is a horizontal sectional view taken through the circular portion shown in Fig. 2 of the drawing. Fig. 14 and Fig. 15 are elevation views illustrating the separate parts and two p n elements attached with the soft rubber disc. Fig. 16 is a vertical sectional view taken through the joint.

Similar numerals of reference designate the same parts throughout all the figures.

I indicate l as a boot, 2 part of a leg, 3 the tension lever, 4 the plate member, 5 the soft rubber disc, 3 the inner spacer, l the rim and 3 are rivets.

The coupling as illustrated in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2

of the drawings comprises a plate member and the boot to function in conjunction with the ankle and provide a resilient stepping movement in all directions. The coupling as shown is particularly adaptable to support and balance a weak or damaged ankle movement of the foot.

From the above it can be seen I have provided an exceptionally efiicient, strong, and inexpensive ankle coupling for the purpose specified or intended.

What I claim and desire to receive by Letters Patent is:

1. An ankle coupling comprising a plate memher and outer rim secured together by means of plurality pins, said plate member and outer rim being spaced by a soft rubber disc suspended about the pins, an inner spacer disposed on the side of the plate opposite the rubber disc connected by pins extending through the rubber disc into a tension lever, the outer rim and plate having a clearance hole to receive a portion of the tension lever and spacer and in the construction said latter float about the enlarged holes and produce the control movement of the foot, the tension lever positioned vertically having one end secured to the upper part of the boot.

2. An ankle coupling adapted to be attached to a boot adjacent the ankle portion, it comprises a plate member and outer rim secured together by a plurality of pins, the rim and plate being spaced by a soft rubber disc suspended about the pins, an inner spacer disposed inside the plate member opposite the rubber disc connected by pins passing through the rubber disc and into a tension lever and secured with the latter, the inner spacer and round portion of the tension lever seated inside the rim and plate member float about the clearance holes of the latter and produce a dynamic foot movement, the tension lever disposed vertically having one end attached with the upper part of the boot.

CHARLES DUMELIN.

asrn'anNoss CITED The following references are of record in the fileof this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

